Hornets wing Kon Knueppel suffered a left hamstring strain during an offseason workout and didn’t participate in the team’s training camp or preseason and will miss his seventh straight game on Monday against Detroit.

However, last season’s Rookie of the Year runner-up went through his typical pregame routine ahead of Monday’s game, per Rod Boone (Twitter video link), and head coach Charles Lee said Knueppel’s return is “right around the corner,” writes Steve Reed of The Associated Press.

Lee declined to say when exactly Knueppel will return to action, but Boone speculates that it could come on Wednesday in Brooklyn. If not, Boone thinks Friday’s home game vs. Boston will be the target.

Knueppel, 21, appeared in 81 games last season, averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 31.5 minutes per game. The fourth overall pick in last year’s draft posted a strong shooting slash line of .475/.425/.863 and became the first rookie in NBA history to lead the league in three-pointers made.

According to Reed, Knueppel has been doing 5-on-5 work recently, including taking contact.

The Hornets have started 2026/27 with a 3-4 record amid injuries to Knueppel, Coby White (left calf strain) and Grant Williams (right hamstring strain). White is making his season debut on Monday and will be on a minutes restriction for the next few games, Lee told reporters, including Reed.

Charlotte exercised its 2027/28 option on Knueppel on Sunday, locking in his $11MM salary for next season. The team also picked up Liam McNeeley’s third-year option, which is worth about $3MM.